Collapsible tube



April 14, 1931. wqo. GANGER l 1,800,936

COLLAPSIBLE TUBE Filed Feb. 19, 1929 @y MM 4 ttor/7634 Patented Apr. 14, 1.931

WILLIAH OBEN GANGEB, OF BULL BUN, OREGON OOLLAPSBLE TUBE Application led February 19, 1929. Serial No. 341,107.

My invention has to do with collapsible containers or receptacles of the nature ,of tubes for pharmaceutical and toilet preparations. This invention partakes of im- 5 provements for the various devices used as stoppers, caps, valves and the like for such tubes. It is an improvement on the familiar and most common type of stopper for tubes of this class, such being a cap which threads io to the neck thereof. The neck of the tube in this instance has an aperture or passageway for the emission of the substance contained in the tube. Such caps have a provoking habit of becoming lost. My invention, among other things, 1s intended to overcome this disagreeable feature.

My invention particularly relates to a device for closing the discharge aperture of a collapsible tube, and consists of a gate or 2o blade which is slidably held in the neck portion thereof. The blade, in-,its normal or closed position entirely covers or closes such discharge aperture. Cooperating with the blade is a spring or similar device which con- 25 stantly urges the blade to cover or close the discharge aperture, thus giving assurance that there is little likelihood of discharge of the contents of the tube. In addition thereto, its operation is very simple-the tube 30 may be held in one hand, the thumb thereof sliding the blade to uncover the discharge aperture. The last feature is particularly desirable with regard to tubes containing shavin cream, dentifrice or like substances, as it a lows the tube to be held in one hand, the discharge aperture being opened by the thumb thereof, the other hand being free to hold a shaving brush, tooth brush or other article to which the substance in the tube is applied. Therefore, the objects of my inventlon are at least threefold- One object of my invention is the provision of a device for closing the discharge aperture of a collapsible tube, but which normally is not removable therefrom.

Another object of my invention is the provision of such a device, which, if not otherwise urged, will 'constantly close the' d ischarge aperture of such tu An additional object of my invention is the provision of a device particularly adaptable for closing the discharge aperture of collapsible tubes, and one so constructed that the tube may be held in one hand, a finger or the thumb of such hand being sufficient to operate it.

Other objects will be apparent upon reading the description of the invention which follows, aided by the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure l is a side elevation of a collapsible tube, partly in section to illustrate the invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan View of the invention with parts broken away;

Fig. -3 is a cross section taken from the sec tion line 3 3 of Figure l, and looking there from in the direction the arrows point;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the slide;

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Fig. 5 is a rear elevationof my invention;

and

Fig. 6 is a plan view of a spring utilized in my invention. In the drawings, my invention is shown 'in connection with a collapsible tube l. Tube l,

as isvusual with this type of articles, is provided with a conical end 2, integral therewith.

Articles of this nature are usually provided l with a cylindrical neck projectingfromthe center of the end. Such necks usually have a central passageway leading to the interior of the tube. They are usually threaded exteriorly to receive a cap interiorly threaded to correspond therewith. In this instance a cylindrical neck is not utilized, but instead.

the end 2 is thickened somewhat to form a 1 head 3. The head 3, considerably greater in length than breadth, extends from the end edge of end 2 to substantially beyond the center thereof, as shown in Figure l. The top or upper surface 4 of the head is flat. Along two sides of the head and around the end 5, which is curved in this instance, is a continuous wall 6. This wall does not extend across the outer end 7 of the head, as it is not desir# able that this end be higher than the top 4. A groove 8 is formed on the inner side of wall 6, and opens level with the top 4. A recess 9, which opens upwardly, is formed in the head adjacent the end 7 thereof. This recess is to hold a spring which will be hereafter de- Scribd. The tube 1 is provided' with a aischarge aperture 10 leading throu h the head A ,3, and having the .mouth thereo flush with the top 4.

The foregoing completes the description of the construction of the tube. I will now describe the mechanism for closing the aperture 10 in the head.- This consists of a blade 11 which slides upon the top 4l of the head. It Ais of sufficient width to allow the lateral edges 12 thereof to enter or ride in the grooves 8 of the side walls 6, which grooves forma guideway therefor. The inner end 13 ofthe blade is rounded t0 conform to the curvature of groove 8 at the inner p end 5 of the head. Blade 11 has a buckled intermediate portion 14. This buckled portion is U-shaped in cross section, with the mouth thereof directed downwardly as shown in Fligure 1. The buckled portion 14 provides a thumb grip for sliding the blade 11. Between the sides or legs of the buckled portion is a groove 15. Means are provided for causing the blade 11 to assume a normal position covering aperture 10, the rounded end 13 thereof within groove 8 at the rounded end 5 of the head. This consists of a spring 16. The spring 16 has two legs,16

and 16 respectively, one of which, in this instance le 16", has an upwardly turned end portion Spring 16 rests in recess 9, with the leg 16 bearing upon the wall 18 of the recess, and the upturned end 17 extending into the groove 15 of the blade. The upturned end 17 is of suiiicient length to prevent the leg 16'f entering groove 15. It will be seen from the foregoing that the spring 16 will urge the blade 11 inwardly so that the aperture 10 will be concealed thereby. Blade 11 ordinarily is not removable fromthe head 3;

to uncover the discharge a ,erture 10 the blade is drawn but partially tlerefrom, complete withdrawal being prohibited by-the spring 16.

Having .described` my invention, what claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. An article of manufacture which oomprises a collapsible tube, one end of said tube having an enlarged portion constituting a head, said head having a flat top, there being a discharge' aperture leading through said head and opening out of said top, a continuous wall directed upwardly on two sides and one end of said top, there being a groove in said wall o nin inwardly flush with said top, a bla e sli ably carried by said groove capable of covering said discharge aperture, said blade having a buckled intermediate portion to produce an elongated roove onl its under side opening downwardy, a recess in said head, a spring in said recess, and said spring having a leg with an upturned end portion entering the groove in the aforesaid blade and urging said blade to constantly cover said discharge aperture.

2; An article of manufacture which comprises a collapsible tube, one end of said tube having an enlarged portion constituting a head, said head having a flat top, there bein a discharge aperture leading through sai head and openlng out of said top, a continuous wall directed upwardly on two sides and one end of said top, there being a groove in said wall opening inwardly flush with said top, a blade slidably carried by said groove capable of covering Lsaid discharge aperture a groove opening out of the undersurface o said blade, a recess in said head, a spr'ing carried in said recess, and a leg on said sprin partially extending into the last mentlone groove and urging said blade to cover said discharge aperture.

3. An article of manufacture which comprises a collapsible tube, one end of said tube aving an enlarged portion constituting a head, said head having a flat top, there being a discharge aperture leading throu h said head the mouth of which is flush with said top, a continuous wall directed upwardly on two sides and one end of said top, there being a groove in said wall opening inwardly flush with said top, a blade slidably carried b said groove capable of .covering said disc arge aperture, a downwardly opening groove 1n said blade formed by buckling a portion thereof, and a spring having a leg portion seated in the last mentioned groove and designed to urge said blade to cover said aperture. a

4. An article of manufacture'which comprises a collapsible tube one end of said tube having an enlarged portion constitutin a head, said head having a flat top, there ing a discharge aperture leading through said head and opening out of said top, a continuous wall directed upwardly on two sides and one end of said top, there bein a oove in said wall o ening inwardly flus I wlth said top, a blade s idably carried by said groove capable of covering said discharge aperture, said blade having a- U-shaped intermediate portion with the mouth thereof directed downwards, a recess in said head normally concealed by said blade, a spring in said recess, and said spring having a leg provided with an upturned end entering the mouth of the U-shaped portion, seating upon the walls thereof and'constantly urging said blade to cover said discharge aperture.

`WILLIAM OBEN GANGER. 

